The Associated Press

MIAMI - A.J. Burnett says he's ready to return to the major leagues. The Florida Marlins might not be completely convinced.

Burnett, a right-hander who hasn't pitched for the Marlins since April 2003 following elbow reconstruction surgery, walked into the team's clubhouse Saturday and said he wants to start against the Reds next week.

"I'm ready to rock and roll," Burnett said. "Hopefully, Wednesday, June 2, that's the date . . . I'm getting kind of anxious."

But manager Jack McKeon said the team still hasn't made a decision about Burnett's availability, and indicated another rehab start is a possibility.

"We want him back for the long haul," McKeon said. "We want to get him sharp. He doesn't want to be disappointing his first time out. And when the adrenaline flows like it will, you want to try to get him to keep himself under control and not get too excited."

Burnett threw 92 pitches for Triple-A Albuquerque in its 7-6 win over Memphis on Friday night. He allowed four earned runs and seven hits, struck out six and walked two. He also gave up one home run, threw one wild pitch and hit one batter.

The runs he allowed Friday were the first he had been charged with during three rehab outings this spring.

Burnett was 12-9 with a 3.30 ERA, 203 strikeouts and five shutouts in 2002, yet was shut down after only four starts in 2003.

The elbow has remained pain-free during the rehab stint, Burnett said Saturday.

ANGELS: The Angels finalized their contract with outfielder Raul Mondesi, who is scheduled to join the team today for the series finale against the Chicago White Sox.

Mondesi, a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner, said Friday he agreed to a contract that will pay him $1.75 million for the rest of the season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates terminated Mondesi's contract after he left them May 7 to return home to the Dominican. At the time, Mondesi said he was fearful for his family's safety as he fights a lawsuit by former major-leaguer Mario Guerrero.

Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia said there was a chance Mondesi could play today if he's in condition.

"Hopefully we are going to get a chance to talk to him to see exactly what he's been going and how he feels," Scioscia said after the Angels beat the White Sox 5-1 Saturday.

RED SOX: Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who hasn't played all season because of a sore Achilles tendon, is to begin a rehabilitation assignment in Triple-A today.

Garciaparra plans to play two games with Pawtucket at Louisville, then return to Boston to work with a therapist for a couple of days. He is expected to rejoin the farm team in Toledo after an off-day on Wednesday.

SHORT HOPS: New York Mets outfielders Cliff Floyd and Mike Cameron collided while chasing a fly ball in the first inning Saturday night at Florida.

Cameron bruised his left shoulder and remained in the game. Shane Spencer took over in left from Floyd, who bruised his left quadriceps.

• The Houston crowd of 41,141 Saturday increased the Astros' home total to 1,002,817, up from 719,983 through 27 home games last season.

• Manny Ramirez's homer Saturday was the 361st of his career, tying Joe DiMaggio on the career list. It was his 125th with the Red Sox, moving him past Fred Lynn and into 17th on Boston's career list.

• Phillies closer Billy Wagner, on the DL with a groin injury, felt fine after throwing 25 pitches off a 3-inch mound. He's scheduled to throw every other day at least four more times, before going down to the minors for a rehab assignment. He's still at least two weeks from returning.